The furry acrobat of Portuguese forests

If, as you strolled through the forests of northern and central Portugal, you think you saw a red-headed figure leaping between the branches, you were not mistaken. The protagonist of this display of dexterity and colour is the red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris), a charming and agile inhabitant of Portuguese forests. Learn more here.

With an almost mischievous expression, the red squirrel has bright eyes and pointed ears, displaying a tuft of long hair in the winter. It is easily recognisable, but the name of this species may deceive. It has a fluffy, normally red-brown coat, but its shades can also vary between dark brown, grey and black, depending on the season of the year or the place where it lives. The belly, lighter than the rest of the body, is usually white.

With a body that can measure up to 25 centimetres and an additional 20-centimetre tail, it’s hard not to notice its most distinctive trait – the tail. This authentic work of art is large, fluffy, thick and brush-shaped, helping it balance in bold jumps and working as a true “blanket” on colder nights.  Sciurus vulgaris is a charming inhabitant and agile arboreal acrobat of Portuguese forests.

It climbs, jumps and swims, but only with a full stomach.

The red squirrel was believed to have been extinct in Portugal from the 16th century until the 1980s but is currently well-established in the forests of Minho and Trás-os-Montes. Following the recovery of their populations, this frequent inhabitant of the pine, chestnut and oak forests is progressively colonising new areas and has been sighted in further south places like the Monsanto Natural Park or the Sintra mountain range.

It prefers dense forests where it can jump from tree to tree without touching the ground, but it does not shy away from parks and green urban areas, as long as there are trees to shelter in and food available. In addition to being an excellent climber and jumper, this small mammal is a great swimmer and has been spotted swimming distances as long as 1.6km.

This rodent’s menu is diverse and changes according to the season. In the fall, it’s common to see it eating acorns, pine seeds, hazelnuts, and chestnuts, which it carefully stores for the harsher winter months. Its memory is not infallible, contrary to what one might expect – many of the treasures he hides end up being forgotten and germinate thus contributing to the regeneration of forests. A true gardener that helps maintain biodiversity.

In summer, it adds mushrooms, berries and even tree bark to its menu but may also pillage bird nests to steal eggs to feed itself.

The mating frenzy

The mating season begins in late winter, with frantic chases and acrobatic jumps to impress the females. If there is a match, the female builds a comfortable nest, made of branches, leaves and moss, right at the top of a tree. About 40 days later, two to five cubs are born, tiny, blind and hairless.

During the first few weeks, the mother is extremely protective, leaving only to forage for food and returning quickly. At two months, the little squirrels are practically independent but remain close to their mother’s nest until they master the art of climbing and jumping.

The movements of the red squirrel are a mix of dexterity and acrobatics. It can jump up to five meters and when running through the branches it looks more like a cat than a rodent.  Sciurus vulgaris is not afraid of heights and often ventures into riskier jumps that result in big falls. However, it survives thanks to its tail. Its tail, in addition to helping balance and quickly change direction, works also if needed as a kind of natural “parachute”.

The red squirrel’s vision is equally impressive: it is able to see what is going on around and above, a very useful power to detect predators such as owls and eagles. Its fingers have long, curved and dented claws on the sides, perfect for climbing and holding on to tree trunks and branches.

Red squirrels are not territorial animals and may share their nests with several companions if weather conditions require it. They are diurnal animals spending much of their active period in the canopy of trees or shrubs. The territory is about 7 hectares, but it has to be considered three-dimensionally.

Albeit discreet and shy, the red squirrel is a sign of vitality and the regeneration of biodiversity. Although extinct in the national territory, the red squirrel managed to return, propagate and adapt to different habitats.

Did you know that…

• The red squirrel is one of the few squirrels mentioned in European mythology, and the Norse legend of Ratatosk is one of them. Ratatosk was a red squirrel whose task was to carry messages between an eagle, which lived at the top of the Tree of Life, Yggdrasill, and the dragon/snake Níðhöggr, which lived among the roots.
• In certain countries, such as Russia, the slaughter of red squirrels for fur trade purposes has caused a significant drop in their population.
• Tufty the Squirrel is a mascot created in the UK to promote road safety. This character led to the creation of the “Tufty Club” which, at the peak of its popularity, had about two million members under the age of five.
• Red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) were practically extinct in Portugal – for around 400 years – due to habitat loss resulting from forest fragmentation.